Tips for Decorating Small Studio Apartments

Decorating a small apartment can be difficult. However, if you get creative and make great use of storage space, you can set up a cozy and inviting place without getting rid of half the things you own. Check out this article for some tips.

It’s fairly common for young people in their 20s or 30s to opt for smaller spaces in order to save a few bucks on rent. The nation's most expensive real-estate markets are even embracing a new trend: micro apartments.

These tiny spaces, usually around 300 square feet, are seen as a way to provide less expensive housing for young renters. These apartments often lack a separate kitchen or bedroom. The rent, however, attracts young professionals and recent college graduates in pursuit of building their careers.

Developers believe that single people accept less space in exchange for lower rent. In Boston, for instance, about a third of the city’s inhabitants are between the ages of 20 and 34. Here, the rent for a micro apartment starts at $1,200, according to Curbed, while the average rent for Boston apartments starts at $1400. In Seattle, one can rent a 250-square-foot apartment for less than $800 a month.

If you value your privacy and aren’t a big fan of roommates, renting a studio or micro apartment can be a wise choice. However, to make the best of living in a small space you must combine smart storage with and a little ingenuity and a lot of imagination. We’ve gathered a few tips that will help.

Only Keep Essentials

Minimalism is all the rage today, and only sticking to essentials is a must if you want to create the illusion of more space in your studio apartment. Avoid clutter and only bring in what is absolutely necessary. Utility has to be a priority; after all, you are not living in a large place to avoid the luxury of putting up furniture or accessories for mere aesthetics.

When it comes to furniture, keep it simple and don’t be afraid to downsize. For instance, a loveseat may work better than a sofa. If you have a home office, take advantage by the space under your desk by placing a small cabinet there. If you only use your laptop for work, a desk isn’t even necessary – you can use a bookshelf instead.

Another smart idea is to separate your sleeping space from your entertainment space. You can place a curtain around your bed, use a pull-down screen or simply place your TV between your sofa and bed.

Create the Illusion of Space

Just because you live in a small apartment doesn’t mean you can’t make it look bigger to the untrained eye. Start by using a color scheme that's light. Pastels, neutrals and whites are all good choices. Also, make sure to use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. You can mix different shades and textures of the same color to create depth.

Don’t forget about the ceiling or floor. A light-colored carpet and ceiling will make the room appear brighter and more open. Leaving your windows uncovered will also trick your eyes into thinking that your apartment’s got depth. Next, you can add wall mirrors in order to increase the appearance of the size of a room. They also reflect light and color. Furthermore, arrange décor items, books, and vases by color to make everything appear more streamlined and to avoid making the room appear cluttered.

Last but not least, any room will look larger if it's well-lit, so use artificial lighting wisely. Don’t rely solely on overhead fixtures, which pool light in one spot. Instead, mix several lighting elements to draw the eye around, giving the illusion of more space. You can find interesting and cheap lamps at consignment stores.

Maximize Your Storage Space

In a small apartment, lack of storage space will likely become an issue at one point or another. Luckily, there are a few tricks to help you take maximum advantage of your space. Use a curtain to hang on your walls in order to hide unappealing storage space and install floating shelves. You can also use bed risers to add several inches of space under the bed. Here, you should store things you don’t use every day, like books and shoe boxes.

Storage ottomans or benches are a nice addition to any room lacking in storage space. Plus, you can place some fashionable hampers and boxes around the house to keep things more organized.

Decorating a small studio apartment is no easy task. However, you can pull it off with a lot of imagination and creativity. Look at the bright side: you will learn to buy less and manage clutter better. Happy decorating!